Not having a reason is a simplification that does not hold up:
What Chesterton actually said is that he wants to know something’s use, and if you read the whole quote it’s clear from context that he really does mean what one would consider as a use in the ordinary sense. Incompetence and apathy don’t count.
“Not having a reason” is a summary; summaries by necessity gloss over details.
What Chesterton actually said is that he wants to know something’s use, and if you read the whole quote it’s clear from context that he really does mean what one would consider as a use in the ordinary sense. Incompetence and apathy don’t count.
“Not having a reason” is a summary; summaries by necessity gloss over details.